Britons to live eight years longer

PEOPLE in Britain are set to enjoy the longest lifespans in the world, according to official predictions.

Projected figures for life expectancy have men living to 87.3 and women to 90.3 in 2062 [ALAMY/MODELS USED]

Men will live to 87 on average – eight years longer than they do today – and women until they are 90.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show Britain will soar up the international life expectancy league table over the next 50 years.

Men will live longer than their counterparts in seven other developed countries. And women will have the second-longest lifespan, beaten only by Japan.

The increase is a huge boost for Britain, which currently languishes near the bottom of the table. Men now live to 79 on average – putting us seventh on the list of eight countries.

Women’s average lifespan of 83 puts the UK in sixth place. Australia, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Japan and the US were chosen for comparison because they have similar population data.

Experts last night said the new figures for 2062 should be celebrated but warned the UK was woefully under-prepared to cope with millions living longer.

The increase in lifespan is down to improvements in public health, nutrition and medicine.

Vaccinations and antibiotics have greatly reduced deaths in childhood, health and safety in workplaces has improved and fewer people now smoke. But the cost to the NHS and paying pensions is high.

David Sinclair, assistant director of policy at the International Longevity Centre UK, said: “These figures are great news but must act as a wake-up call to Government and society as a whole. Living longer is not so brilliant if we spend more of those years in ill health.”

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “Increasing longevity is something to be celebrated but will mean wholesale changes for our society which will have to adapt to its radically ageing population.

“The gap in life expectancy between rich and poor areas is growing. Life expectancy for those children born today is 11 years longer in the richest areas than in the poorest.

“The Government urgently needs to take action to close this gap.” Some pensioners already spend more years in retirement than they did working.”

The previous Labour government set out plans to increase the state pension age to 68 for both men and women over the next four decades.

The Coalition has linked the qualifying age to life expectancy which will see those in their early 20s now waiting until they are at least 70.

Pensions Minister Steve Webb said: “We have to make sure the state pension reflects rises in longevity so that our pension system remains fair and affordable for current and future generations. People will get their pension later in life but they will draw their pension for around 25 years.”